Outcry as Kenyan Software Developer Rose Njeri Arrested Over Anti-Finance Bill Website
NAIROBI, Kenya – May 31, 2025 — Rose Njeri, a Kenyan software developer, has been allegedly arrested and detained following the launch of a website that allows citizens to oppose the controversial Finance Bill 2025. Her arrest, widely condemned by legal professionals and civil rights advocates, has ignited a storm of protest across social media platforms.
Njeri’s troubles began after a tweet she posted on May 19, where she announced the creation of a digital tool designed to simplify public participation in the legislative process. “I wrote a simple program that lets you reject the Finance Bill 2025 with just one click. Click below to send your objection,” she wrote.
The site quickly gained traction among Kenyans critical of the proposed bill, which introduces new taxes and levies that many argue will disproportionately burden low- and middle-income citizens. Just days after the tweet went viral, Njeri was reportedly arrested by plainclothes officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
According to Advocate Ian Mutiso, who was informed of the incident by concerned parties, Njeri was arrested on Friday, May 30, at approximately 2:00 PM while conducting a tech training session along Enterprise Road in Nairobi. She was allegedly bundled into a Subaru vehicle without formal identification or arrest warrant being presented.
Mutiso further claims that officers took Njeri to her residence, conducted a search, and confiscated electronic devices without producing a search warrant. During this time, Njeri was denied the opportunity to contact either her family or legal counsel.
“The said officers frustrated her from making calls to her family and lawyers,” Mutiso said in a statement. “She was, by sheer luck, able to communicate discreetly with her pharmacist near her residence and her mother later on.”
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, confirmed that Njeri is being held at Pangani Police Station. Speaking on Saturday, May 31, Odhiambo said that the LSK legal team managed to see Njeri only after a lengthy and difficult process.
“All attempts to have her released on bail have so far failed,” said Odhiambo. “As things stand, we are still on the matter and hope to have Njeri released and back home with her family. We ask all members of the public to remain vigilant but calm, and we will provide timely and detailed updates as soon as we make positive progress.”
The LSK’s involvement has intensified scrutiny over the legality of Njeri’s detention, as well as the broader issue of state interference in digital civic engagement. Human rights groups and civil society organizations have also weighed in, decrying the arrest as a violation of Njeri’s constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, association, and access to legal representation.
Online, hashtags such as #FreeRoseNjeri, #RejectFinanceBill2025, and #DigitalRightsKE have trended across Kenyan Twitter and Instagram, with citizens demanding her immediate and unconditional release. Many have pointed to her arrest as an example of government overreach and growing intolerance toward dissent.
The Finance Bill 2025, which proposes sweeping changes to taxation and expenditure, has already been the subject of heated public debate. Critics say the bill would increase the cost of living and widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor. Supporters argue it is a necessary move to increase revenue and reduce the budget deficit.
With public pressure mounting, legal experts expect the case to become a flashpoint in Kenya’s ongoing struggle between civic activism and state control. The LSK has committed to pursuing all legal avenues for Njeri’s release and ensuring accountability for what they describe as unlawful conduct by the arresting officers.
As of publication, Njeri remains in custody with no formal charges announced. Calls for her release continue to grow as Kenyans watch closely how the state handles the increasingly controversial case.
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Outcry as Kenyan Software Developer Rose Njeri Arrested Over Anti-Finance Bill Website